

Lunchtime Live
Newstalk
Andrea Gilligan invites callers to have their say on the topics of the day - get in touch by emailing lunchtimelive@newstalk.com Listen and subscribe to Lunchtime Live on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.CONVERSATION THAT COUNTS | Ireland’s national independent talk station for news, sport, analysis and entertainmentListen to Newstalk at http://newstalk.com/listenlive | Download the GoLoud app now, the new home for Newstalk
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 26, 2026 • 14min
The Making of Queen’s ‘A Night at the Opera’
We’ve decided to do a deep dive on some of our favourite albums to explore the stories behind them.What did the artists really think of each other? Where did the inspirations from the songs come from?Joining Andrea to discuss is Head Tour Guide at the Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum Experience, Alan Buckley, who’s going to talk through Queen’s ‘A Night at the Opera’!

Feb 26, 2026 • 18min
Why do culchies go to more funerals than Dubliners?
A recent survey carried out by RIP.ie has discovered that the average Irish person attends five funerals a year. Out of those figures, it has been discovered that Kerry people go to the most.The report also suggests that 90% of respondents believe every family should have the right to deliver a eulogy at the funeral mass of a family member.We want to know, why do people from the countryside go to more funerals than Dublin people? How often do you go to funerals?Joining Andrea to discuss is Graham Gleasure from The Gleasure Funeral Home in Tralee, Bríd McGowan Funeral Director and Embalmer in Sligo, Ocean FM Presenter Claire Ronan, Newstalk’s Josh Crosbie and Content Creator, Padraig Wilson McCarthy.

Feb 25, 2026 • 10min
Before We Die Campaign presents at the Dáil - Josh Crosbie Reports
Tony Murray is amongst parents of adults with intellectual disabilities to present to TDs in the Dáil this lunchtime as part of their Before We Die campaign.Newstalk Reporter Josh Crosbie was there, and joins Andrea with the latest.

Feb 25, 2026 • 8min
Reasons to be Happy: Wedding Venues, Punch the Monkey, Girls Getaways
Lunchtime Live's Reasons to be Happy looks at some of the news stories that you might have missed that will leave you feeling more optimistic.98FM’s Cathal O’Sullivan joined Andrea in the studio to put a smile on your faces…Image: Reuters

Feb 25, 2026 • 15min
Social tenants claim “segregation” in mixed housing
Dublin City Council and approved housing body Tuath have received backlash from social tenants in a mixed housing complex.Social tenants in the Newmarket Yards Complex in D8 have condemned their exclusion from the complex's amenities, such as the gym and community room, saying it’s “completely segregation.”Andrea is joined by one of those tenants, who will remain anonymous, Hazel de Nortúin, People Before Profit Councillor for Ballyfermot/Drimnagh and Town Planner Derek Whyte to discuss.

Feb 25, 2026 • 10min
Katie Taylor announces retirement after final fight
Irish boxing legend Katie Taylor has announced that she will retire after her final fight this summer, still aiming to have it take place in Croke Park.Joining Andrea to give their reactions is Olympic boxer Michael Carruth, Philip Egan from Off the Ball and Liam Morley Brereton from St Brigid’s Boxing Club in Offaly.

Feb 25, 2026 • 11min
Making Babies: Conditions that can affect you during pregnancy
Every Wednesday afternoon, we’ll be talking Making Babies.Andrea will be joined by Professor Shane Higgins, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, to cover every area of trying to have a baby. From the very start of knowing how to prepare, right up to pregnancy – and all the bumps in the road in between.This week, Shane joins Andrea to discuss some of the conditions that can affect you during your pregnancy.

Feb 25, 2026 • 11min
Why are joint bank accounts becoming less popular?
Do you and your other half have a joint account?And how do you manage splitting the bills in your household?It seems that among younger generations, there is a move away from joint bank accounts as couples keep their finances separate…Joining Andrea to discuss this is Siobhan Maguire, Consumer Journalist.

Feb 25, 2026 • 19min
Should the national anthem be mandatory in school?
The national anthem is a powerful symbol of identity and heritage. For many, it inspires a deep sense of pride; for others, it holds little personal significance.Waterford County Council has unanimously passed a motion to make Ireland’s national anthem a mandatory part of the primary school curriculum.The proposal was introduced by Donnchadh Mulcahy of Sinn Féin. Speaking with Anton Savage this morning, Cllr Mulcahy outlined the reasoning behind the motion and why he believes learning the anthem should be an essential part of a child’s early education.So, do you think the national anthem should be mandatory as part of the school curriculum?Joining Andrea to discuss is Freelance Sports Journalist Mortimer Murphy, Lisa O'Sullivan Shaw (@modernirishmom on Instagram) and listeners.

Feb 24, 2026 • 13min
Ask the Expert: Dublin Bus
For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Dublin Bus Spokesperson Blake Boland to answer any of your bus-related questions!


